DISCOGRAPHY

WJO CD DETAILS

THE WINNIPEG JAZZ ORCHESTRA: WJO
Posted: March 12, 2005
(AllAboutJazz.com- Independent)

On its self-titled debut album, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra offers the listener the best of two possible worlds—a thinking person's big band that also swings. There's a lot happening in these ten original compositions (including the two-part French-Canadian/Métis Suite), but the elaborate charts seldom interrupt the band's essential purpose, to present high-caliber music that is not only aesthetically pleasing but viscerally captivating as well. Pianist Michelle Grégoire wrote the evocative Suite, as she did the almost-blues "Minor Alterations," while trombonist Jeff Presslaff composed "Having Met," "Nightflame" and the Gershwin-inspired and dirge-like "Something to Wash Over Me." Completing the bill of fare are two works ("Riff Raff Riff," "Europa") by trumpeter Richard Boughton and one each by saxophonist Ken Gold ("The Chomsky Moan") and vocalist Lianne Fournier ("Aphrodite," on which she also sings).

To me, the straight-on "Europa," encompassing inspired solos by flugel Boughton and tenor Brian Klowak and a superb intro by Grégoire, earns the blue ribbon, but the other charts are close behind, and there is certainly much to admire elsewhere, especially in Grégoire's trio of handsome arrangements; the Kentonesque "Having Met," shuffling "Riff Raff Riff" and impishly funky "Chomsky Moan." Boughton delivers another impressive flugel solo on "Having Met," while Greg Gatien is heard to good advantage on tenor ("Minor Alterations") and soprano ("Riff Raff Riff," "Nightflame," Part 1 of Suite Métis). Other soloists of note include Grégoire, Gold (baritone on "Chomsky Moan," tenor on Part 2 of Suite Métis), guitarist Ron Halldorson, bassist Gilles Fournier and bass trombonist D'Arcy McLean.
The charts are sharp and engaging, the ensemble snug and sturdy, and the WJO's debut album is a pleasure to hear.
— Jack Bowers

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
-Self-titled Album

The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra (WJO) is a professional concert big band based in the Canadian city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. They do a frequently sold-out five-concert series every year as well as recordings, broadcasts and outdoor park concerts. The band features several top-level composer/ arrangers whose work is heard on their recent self-titled album.

The WJO was founded in 1997 by artistic director Richard Gillis and saxophonist Sasha Boychouk. It has featured many heavy-duty guest artists during the subsequent eight seasons including: Bill Watrous, Bob Brookmeyer, Phil Nimmons, Cornelius Bumpus, Hugh Fraser, Kirk MacDonald, and several others.

Their debut album is composed entirely by members of the band and was produced by trombonist/composer/arranger Jeff Presslaff. The tunes range from classically swinging modern style of "Europa" to the funky edge of "The Chomsky Moan" to the exploratory "Something to Wash over Me". Jack Bowers writes in All about Jazz:

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The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is Generously Funded by:

Funding assistance provided by the Manitoba government. Aide financière accordée par le gouvernement du Manitoba.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Education Sponsors:

The Play-Along App project is supported by the Government of Canada’s Healthy Communities Initiative.

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The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra welcomes and shares its performance and creation of music - a universal language to all people irrespective of culture, race, sexuality, ability, language and gender.

Music is an agent of hope. A dynamic and valuable device that helps us to heal and to bring us together. The First Peoples of Canada understood this and used music to reunite, resolve and reconcile. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that WJO activities take place on Treaty Territory – land that was maintained and earnestly cared for by Indigenous peoples before European settlement. Manitoba is the original lands of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and is the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge that Winnipeg benefits daily from Treaty 3 water that comes from Shoal Lake 40. It is with sincere sentiment that we recognize the mistakes of our recent and distant past. In working towards a Canada that benefits us all, we commit to seeking a greater understanding of Canada’s diverse cultural relationships through continued work with Indigenous communities; we commit to live in ways that honour and respect the treaties that were made on these territories; and we commit to stewarding the land in harmony for all who will come after us.

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra / Box 68114, RPO Osborne Village, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 2V9
Main: 204-421-9398 / manager@winnipegjazzorchestra.com Box Office: 204-632-5299 / tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com

WJO CD DETAILS

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra-Self-titled Album

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The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is Generously Funded by:

Education Sponsors:

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
-Self-titled Album